Las Vegas Raiders Derek Carr (4) points to Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick during the first half at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA on December 24, 2022.Pittsburgh Steelers Vs Las Vegas Raiders Week 16 Michael Longo/For USA Today Network / USA TODAY NETWORK

Cold truth: Las Vegas QB Derek Carr stinks in freezing temperatures

By Joaquin Ruiz | Last updated Dec 26, 2022 11:51 AM ET

Raiders quarterback Derek Carr threw three interceptions and completed only 53 percent of passes in Saturday's 13-10 loss to the Steelers. The game underscored an element that flusters the nine-year veteran: cold weather.

Before the game, Tashan Reed and Vic Tafur of The Athletic reminded fans that Carr was 0-6 in games that kicked off below 37 degrees, posting only five TD passes to six interceptions.

Per Steelers Now, the game temperature Saturday was 8, one of the coldest home games in Steelers history.

A Carr interception closed the deal on the Raiders' eighth one-possession loss of the season and another year below .500.

DEREK CARR WITH HIS 3RD INT OF THE NIGHT

(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/NtfeyTAMJe
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 25, 2022

Carr was simply outplayed by a shaky rookie quarterback in Kenny Pickett, who missed last week with a concussion.

Kenny Pickett vs Raiders:

• 26/39
• 244 yards
• 1 TD/1 INT
• 81.6 RTG
• 13-10 W

The Steelers rookie QB with quite the COMEBACK pic.twitter.com/N5D5da9Tmy
— NFL Rookie Watch (@NFLRookieWatxh) December 25, 2022

Carr led a talented Raiders offense -- featuring Pro Bowlers Davante Adams and Josh Jacobs -- to only 232 yards of offense. It's a disappointing number considering Las Vegas had stars Darren Waller and Hunter Renfrow for a second consecutive week.

After leading Las Vegas to a 2-2 record in December, Carr is staggering into a new year.

pic.twitter.com/aCyLMmlM3M
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) December 25, 2022

His poor decision-making has him leading the league with 14 interceptions, tying a career high with two games remaining.

The Raiders' season is all but over, though, per ESPN's Paul Gutierrez, Carr is mentally preparing for the next day.

#Raiders QB Derek Carr: "As much as it sucks, tomorrow we've got to get ready for the next one."
— Paul Gutierrez (@PGutierrezESPN) December 25, 2022

Fortunately for Carr and the Raiders, they'll be back in their climate-controlled Allegiant Stadium for Week 17's game against the 49ers, who opened as a heavy favorite.

Joaquin Ruiz

Joaquin Ruiz is an aspiring sports writer from the Los Angeles area with a concentration in the NFL and NBA. Inspired by Blake Griffin jumping over a Kia Optima, he studies media at the University of California, Berkeley. You can follow him on Twitter @WalkingRuiz for more sports talk

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